Annual Edition - Notice

37Handling of Unexploded Ordnance

The following information, of concern mainly to fishing vessels, is being published for the benefit of any other vessels which may have occasion to draw nets or trawls:

1Fishers operating off the coasts of Canada are warned that both non-explosive and explosive ordnance may be discovered in normal fishing areas. These ordnance items may be brought to the surface in nets or trawls.

oNon-explosive ordnance such as practice torpedoes will normally be painted bright orange; smaller non-explosive ordnance will normally be a dark blue or light blue. Any item which cannot be readily identified by sight as non-explosive ordnance should be treated as explosive in character. Explosive ordnance, small or large, will normally be painted or marked in yellow, red or green. If there is any doubt about the identity of any object brought up by nets or trawls, it should be considered as an explosive. It should be noted that ordnance having been in the water for longer periods of time will most likely have lost its markings and, like ordnance found on land, will likely have rusted.

2Practice ammunition still dangerous:

a.Orange torpedoes could still contain Otto Fuel;
b.Dummy ammunition formerly had a dark blue marking; currently, it has a bronze marking;
c.Colour Codes Above 20mm

i.Yellow  High Explosive
ii.Brown  Low Explosive
iii.Grey  Chemical
iv.Black  Armour Defeating
v.Light Green Smoke
vi.Light Red  Incendiary
vii.Orange  Recoverable

d.When a colour for a primary role does not in itself indicate the presence of an explosive or other hazardous material, the presence of these materials may be indicated by narrow bands or by letters applied in an appropriate colour of the code.

3Explosive ordnance may still be dangerous even after having been in the water for many years. Suspected explosive ordnance should be treated with great care, and if observed in the net or trawl while still outboard, no attempt should be made to bring it alongside or aboard. The trawl should be lowered and where possible, towed clear of regular fishing grounds before cutting away the net as necessary.

4In the event that a suspected explosive ordnance item cannot be released or freed by cutting the net or line, the following actions are advised:

(i)Stream the object as far aft as possible.
(ii)Notify the nearest Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) and stand by for instructions or help.
(iii)Position the crew at the forward end of the vessel, keeping the deck house between them and the object astern.
(iv)Maintain steerageway as necessary to stay in the area until help or instructions arrive.

5In the event of a suspected ordnance item not having been detected until the contents of the trawl have been discharged on deck, the following action should be taken:

(i)Great care should be taken to avoid bumping the object.
(ii)It should be stowed on deck away from heat and vibration.
(iii)It should be firmly chocked up and well secured to prevent movement.
(iv)It should be kept covered up and dampened down. (This is important because any explosive which may have become exposed to the atmosphere is liable to become very sensitive to shock if allowed to dry out).
(v)Notify the nearest Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) and stand by for instructions. The JRCC will then contact the nearest EOD team for direction.

6A ship with a suspected explosive item on board or in her gear should warn other ships in the vicinity and give them her position.

Note: The accompanying plates showing ordnance used currently and formerly by DND ships and aircraft will assist in identifying explosive ordnance that may be recovered from the sea.

Naval Underwater Charge
	Signal Underwater Sound MK411 (Reduced Charge) (SUS) Signal Underwater Sound MK 410 (High Explosive)	Depth Charge High Explosive DM211 Anti-Frogman
	Signal Sound Marine MK NC 1 Mod 1

Naval Decoy
	82 mm Rocket Practice MASS Decoy	MK 234 Electronic Decoy Cartridge (Nulka)
	Cartridge 5.125 Inch Chaff	Rocket 100mm Radar Echo Practice C20

Naval Pyrotechnics
	Signal Smoke Aircraft Orange Drift Indicator C8	Marker Location marine C2A1
	Marker Man Over Board (MMOB)	38mm Hand Held Illuminating Signal Flare (Radaflare)
	Signal Smoke and Illumination Marine Mk 66 Mod 2	Signal Smoke Marine MK3 Orange
	Marker Man Overboard Smoke and Light Length 500 mm Diameter 190 mm (including the float)	Signal Illum Marine Red Pinpoint Mk7 Length 247 mm Diameter 35 mm
	Rocket 100 mm Radar echo P8 Length 1700 mm Diameter 102 mm	100 mm Infra red Decoy P6 Length 1600 mm Diameter 103.2 mm
	Flare Aircraft Parachute LUU 2AB/2BB Length 91.4 cm Diameter 12.4 cm	Signal Underwater Sound Mk411 Length 38.1 cm Diameter 7.62 cm
	Signal sound Marine Height 8.89 cm Diameter 7.62 cm	Signal Illum A-C Single star 1.5 inch Length 82.6 mm Diameter 38 mm
	Marker Location Marine C1A1 or C1A2 Length 47 cm Diameter 7.56 cm	5.125 inch chaff Mk 182 Length 1206.5 mm Diameter 130 mm
	Marker Location Marine Mk 58 Length 21.5 inches Diameter 4.9 inches	Signal Distress Day and Night Length 135 mm Diameter 42 mm
	Marker Man Overboard, Light And Smoke, Series III

Naval Shells
	40 mm	57 mm
	76 mm	20 mm
	Mk46 torpedo	Mk48 Torpedo
	Cart 57mm Pre-Fragmented High Explosive	Cartridge 40mm High Explosive-tracer (HE-T)
	Cartridge 57mm Non-Frag Brown Band Low Explosives	Both are inert Dummy 40mm Drill 40mm
	Cartridges 40mm Practice (BL/P) Projectile inert but could have live primer and propellant in cartridge case

Other Possible Ordnance
	Depth Charge HE DM211 Anti-Frogman Length 268 mm Diameter 60 mm	Practice bomb
	2.75 inch rocket motor	2.75 inch warhead
	Post-WWII British Naval Projectiles Length 254-610mm Diameter 50-150mm	Anti-submarine charge (hedgehog) Length 100cm Diameter 18cm
	Anti-Submarine (AS) Mortar Length 150cm Diameter 305mm